Increase in DUI Deaths Will Bring Stronger Police Enforcement Over Holiday Season

12/18/2013 03:48 PM

12/18/2013 03:50 PM

Police investigate shooting on Meadow Court that sent one man to the hospital.

State and local police will step up campaign to keep drunk drivers off the road over Christmas and New Year's holidays.

WTVO/WQRF- Illinois State Police working with local police departments are planning a major crackdown on drunk driving after recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed that deaths from crashes involving DUI were up in Illinois more than 15% in 2012 from 2011.

“Drunk driving fatalities have dropped overall during recent years in Illinois, but this data shows that drunk driving remains a grave threat,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider in a news release. “This holiday season, we want all drivers to take heed and remember that if you drink and drive, you risk arrest and, at a minimum, the loss of your license.”

Drivers will see stepped up DUI and seat belt law enforcement patrols focusing on the most deadly nighttime hours through the Christmas and New Year's holidays. That includes hundreds of roadside safety checks, safety belt enforcement zones and enforcement patrols looking for drunk drivers and seat belt law violators.

“Every motorist should think twice and consider the consequences before drinking and driving this holiday season,” said Illinois State Police Lieutenant Colonel Terry Lemming. “Law enforcement across Illinois and beyond will be saturating the roadways and interstates pushing for zero fatalities and urge drivers to take responsibility before getting behind the wheel.”

While DUI deaths are trending upward recently, they are significantly down from 2007, when the state had reported 439 deaths. That number has fallen to 321 in 2012.